Father of Spurs boy thanks fans and footballers after hospital song goes viral

Harry Pankhurst, eight, received a get-well-soon message from Tottenham stars Harry Kane and Hugo Lloris after he underwent surgery.

18 March, 2019 19:50

The father of eight-year-old Spurs fan Harry Pankhurst has thanked the thousands of football fans and famous names, including England captain Harry Kane, for their messages of support after his son’s hospital bed rendition of Glory, Glory Tottenham Hotspur went round the world.

Harry’s dad, Stuart, 38, said the reaction to his son’s performance, as he was recovering at Sheffield Children’s Hospital, showed the generosity of the vast majority of football fans at a time when a series of incidents had dented the image of supporters.

Mr Pankhurst even called in to a radio station discussion on fans’ behaviour to “put them right” and tell his son’s “inspirational story”.

He said: “I had to say something.

“Football fans get the bad publicity but, when it comes to something like this, the support that he’s received has been absolutely fantastic and that’s what I wanted to say to everybody.”

My sons been in hospital and very poorly for over 3 weeks,having numerous operations to make him better, over this time he’s been very subdued and not wanting to do much but sleep, today I played his favourite song and this happened @SpursOfficial 😁 pic.twitter.com/uOty2EMgO3

Mr Pankhurst, who works as a marketing recruitment manager for a care company, said Harry was facing another operation but was getting much better.

He said he and his wife, Charlotte, 38, who works as a hospital bereavement officer, Harry’s twin brother, his sister Autumn, nine, and half-brother Joshua, 17 were hoping he would be home within a couple of weeks.

“He’s a little fighter. Every time he had a problem, he battles through,” he said.

He added: “He’s spent lot of time in Sheffield Children’s Hospital. This is the one place he gets the best possible care because they’ve known him for so long.”

Liz Hinde, clinical nurse specialist for paediatric hydrocephalus at the hospital, said: “He’s definitely on the road to recovery.”

The hospital is a specialist centre for hydrocephalus and gives lifelong support to children like Harry.

She said: “He is a legend.

“He’s always putting a smile on people’s faces.”

Ms Hinde added: “Harry and his family have had a really, really tough time since Christmas and he’s been really unwell.

“So it’s been a nice, welcome distraction. And Harry’s loved the idea of being famous.”